PbyCj

Oh! I did design another T-shirt the other day. The front is a digital painting called “I scream for change” that I did back in 2022. The back adds a flavor to the ice cream (which I made up) on Santa Fe Ave.

Now Santa Fe Ave is a poem that I wrote years ago then rewrote it this year and published it in my E-Book

I then put the entire poem at the back of the shirt.

Let’s talk about Santa Fe Ave because it’s just so personal but I enjoy it.

original:

Santa Fe Ave

I wasn’t looking for a love affair I just needed to escape You were safe, warm and comforting You undressed my thoughts I had never been so raw, so naked. 

I ran away from You I forgot everything You did for me In the process I had forgotten me Years went by and I didn’t know the person who looked at me in the mirror Then I let someone else undress me,  or whoever I thought I was.

Revised:

Santa Fe Ave 

I wasn’t looking for a love affair.
I just needed to escape.You were safe, warm, and comforting.You undressed my thoughts. 
I had never been so raw, so naked,so free. 
I ran away and forgot who You were to me.
Away from You, I lost my identity.
So lost that I let someone else undress me—or whoever she was. 
I remember welcoming Your warmth.You comforted me beyond anything I had ever known. Still, no one else has the capacity to love me unfailingly.”

Excerpt From
Woman Shall Not Live by Sex Alone
Charity James
https://books.apple.com/us/book/woman-shall-not-live-by-sex-alone/id6743363652
This material may be protected by copyright.

At this point in my creative journey, I find myself mixing my work together. Adding the flavor to a painting I painted 3 years ago wasn’t planned – lavender coconut with chocolate fudge on “Santa Fe Ave.” I was, like “wait, Santa Fe Ave is a poem I wrote.” I was hesitant to put the entire poem on the shirt. The poem is, like I said, personal. I’ve shared it before but it can be easily misunderstood. 

A beautiful thing is happening as I’ve been creating more openly, I am losing the need or desire to be understood. I am also losing the need to understand things myself or critique the things that I create – most importantly, I have stopped being ashamed. 

My abstract style, somewhat cryptic designs, and creations that only I can understand—all of it has a place. After all, I am the daughter of the Creator of everything 😏.

Just create. 

-CJ